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Hopman Thursday, December 19, 2013 Cup XXVI

AUSSIES BRING OUT THE BIG GUNS P8-9 RADWANSKA IN POLE POSITION P2 XXVI Thursday, December 19, 2013 Poland pair hope it’s first time lucky ■ Bridget Lacy Williams in the 2012 Wimbledon final is the closest she has come. Poland enter the Hopman Cup fray for Radwanska is considered one of the the first time in the popular smartest players on tour, relying more on tournament’s 26th year. touch and shot selection than power to The young pairing of Agnieszka give her an edge over her opponents. Radwanska and have But her record against the top players been trailblazers for their country in a has been her Achilles heel. sport that the Polish have traditionally Radwanska will be hoping playing in struggled in and now they are the first to similar conditions to Arena at represent their flag at the unique Arena will help her eclipse her best $1 million mixed teams event. effort at the — a And they will like their chances of quarterfinal appearance, which she has lifting the trophy in their country’s achieved in each of the past three years. debut. Radwanska is excited to play her first Organisers agree with that mixed doubles match in five years with assessment, seeding the Poles rising 23-year-old Janowicz. No.1, despite the fact they The 204cm, big-hitting right-hander has have never played mixed enjoyed a breakout year, reaching a doubles together. career-high ranking of 14 in August. They will open Janowicz, who only two years ago the tournament could not afford to travel to when they take for Australian Open qualifying, became on the Italian the first Polish man to make a semifinal team of Flavia at a event at Wimbledon this Pennetta and . year. World No.5 Radwanska comes to Perth The current No.21 is keen to have an Radwanska as the highest-ranked female player in impact in Perth. the field. “I was talking to Agnieszka and we “I am very excited to play at the decided it might be a lot of fun to play Hopman Cup for the first time,” she said. together at the Hopman Cup,” Janowicz “I saw a couple of times players playing said. Hopman Cup and it was very “We never had a Hopman Cup team entertaining, so I’m looking forward to before in Poland so it’s going to be a lot of it.” fun.” Radwanska has been a consistent performer since breaking into the top 10 in 2008. The 24-year-old has made the quarterfinals or better at every grand slam tournament except the US Open, where she has been bundled out in the fourth round for the past two years. She enjoyed a solid 2013, with another three WTA Tour wins to her name and an appearance at the season-ending championships in Janowicz Turkey. But she is yet to claim her maiden grand slam title. A three-set loss to superstar Serena

Agnieszka Jerzy Radwanska Janowicz Born: 6/3/1989 Born: 13/11/1990 Plays: Right-handed Plays: Right-handed Current ranking: 5 Current ranking: 21 Highest ranking: 2 (9/7/12) Highest ranking: 14 (12/8/13) Career singles titles: 13 Career singles titles: 0 Career doubles titles: 2 Career doubles titles: 0 Career prize money: $14.1m Career prize money: $2m

Index The team USA eye record seventh crown 3 Tomic, Stosur hope for ’s late bloomer 13 Writers: Russell Reid, Bridget Lacy, Nick Rynne Stephens has world at her feet 4 happy new year 8-9 Memory lane 14 Designer: Dijana Jovanovic All the games 5 Canadian teen wants revenge 11 Spain’s heroine returns 15 Pictures: Getty Images, Tsonga aces his injuries 7 Kvitova feels the heat 12 The West Australian thewest.com.au HOPMANHOP CUP XXVI For all the latest news

Flashback: Spain’s and with the spoils of success after winning the Hopman Cup in January. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images Americans gun for seventh heaven

■ Russell Reid crowds after being forced out of last summer’s tournament with a knee injury and will be before the third-round clash with Spain. out to steer USA to a record seventh That injury conceivably cost Isner and Hyundai Hopman Cup title at Perth partner a place in the Arena from December 28 to January 4. final. Eventual champions Spain won The Americans have been seeded No.2, through to the tournament decider behind Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz and because of their 3-0 walkover against Agnieszka Radwanska. USA. Poland will make their Hopman debut, “Every time I have played the Hopman but Isner has already held the coveted Cup I have enjoyed myself so much,” trophy aloft. Isner said. “I’ve absolutely loved my time Elation: Verdasco and Medina Garrigues hug after snaring the title in the doubles. The big-serving American teamed with in Perth.” Bethanie Mattek-Sands to beat Belgium’s Big-serving Isner said the unique West field for Hopman Cup XXVI. Janowicz Six months earlier, Kvitova won her Ruben Bemelmans and in Australian event provided the ideal was the first male Polish player to reach a first grand slam tournament title at the 2011 final. lead-up for the Australian Open two grand slam semifinal when he lost to Wimbledon, and by the end of 2011 she That victory followed previous USA weeks later at . Scotsman 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-4 6-3 had also claimed the WTA Championship wins in 1997 (/Chanda “For me, playing the Hopman Cup is at Wimbledon this year. and achieved a career-high ranking of Rubin), 2003 (/Serena perfect preparation for the Australian Flamboyant Frenchman Jo-Wilfried No.2. Williams), 2004 (Blake/Lindsay Open,” he said. Tsonga and Alize Cornet have been Italians and Andreas Davenport), 2006 (/Lisa “It allows me to get down there early, seeded No.3, and Canadian young guns Seppi, the No. 6 seeds, face an uphill Raymond) and 2008 (Mardy get used to the heat and, on top of that, and battle, but Australians Fish/Williams). get top-notch, quality matches.” round out the top four. and , the seventh seeds Isner is best known for winning the Rising star Stephens will be making Powerful left-hander Petra Kvitova and out to win the host nation’s first title longest match in the sport’s history, his her Perth debut. The 20-year-old beat Radek Stepanek are capable of creating since and Jelena Wimbledon victory against Frenchman countrywoman en route headaches despite being ranked fifth. Dokic in 1999, will be dangerous if they , 6-4 3-6 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (7-3) to the semifinals at this year’s Australian Stepanek, the hero of consecutive hit top form. 70-68, in the first round in 2010 which was Open and also reached the fourth round wins in 2012 Spain’s and Anabel played over three days and lasted 11 at the and quarterfinals at and 2013, is an accomplished doubles Medina Garrigues are seeded No.8 but hours and five minutes. Wimbledon. player. Kvitova has had success in Perth, are genuine title contenders. The 28-year-old world No.13 said he was Radwanska (No.5) and Janowicz (21) the world No.7 combining with Tomas Medina Garrigues is the defending keen to reacquaint himself with Perth are two of 10 top-25 ranked players in the Berdych to win the 2012 Hopman title. titleholder and Robredo is a dual winner. HOPMAN CUP XXVI Thursday, December 19, 2013 Stephens has the world at her feet ■ Bridget Lacy result at a slam. A fourth-round appearance in 2010 is the deepest he has This time last year Sloane Stephens was gone in Melbourne. a relative unknown. He withdrew from the Australian Open But the 20-year-old well and truly last summer after injuring a knee in announced herself at the Australian Perth, but this time he is hoping a WA Open in January, steaming past world appearance will help him reach greater No.1 Serena Williams on the way to her heights at Melbourne Park. first grand slam semifinal. “Every time I have played I’ve enjoyed That performance made Stephens a myself so much,” Isner said. giant killer, but also marked her as one of “I absolutely love my time in Perth. the most exciting prospects in the game. “For me playing the Hopman Cup is Stephens is yet to record a WTA Tour perfect preparation for the Australian title win but has shown she belongs in Open. It allows me to get down there the big time, making the fourth round or early, get used to the heat, and on top of better at all four grand slams this year as that get top-notch, quality matches.” she climbed 26 ranking spots to No.12 in A knee problem forced Isner to also the world. retire early at Wimbledon. Stephens Along with her stunning win over The giant American, who has won childhood idol Williams, she enjoyed twice on the ATP Tour for three victory over top-five ranked Maria consecutive years, has admitted it is a Sharapova and is the youngest woman problem he will have to manage. inside the top 20. “I had an MRI done and had people Stephens has almost 79,000 look at it,” he said of the issue last followers, has appeared on popular month. US chat show Ellen and is the clear “I’m not going to need surgery but heir apparent to Williams. there is an issue under my kneecap. She has the world at her feet and “It’s about getting everything is making her Hopman Cup debut surrounding the knee stronger. as one half of the No.2 seeds. “It doesn’t bother me at all when I’m “I had an awesome three weeks just walking around. But sometimes it in this year so I’m hurts when I’m doing something looking forward to going to Perth strenuous. and being able to play there,” “I can’t baby this knee forever. I need to Stephens said. push myself.” The $1 million mixed teams tournament has been a happy hunting ground for the Americans over its 25 years, claiming the trophy a record six times. Stephens will be partnered by a man who has been a regular visitor to Perth Isner and knows how to win here — John Isner. The big-serving 206cm 28-year-old first played the Hopman Cup in 2010. He won with Bethanie Mattek-Sands in 2011 and teamed with Venus Williams at the last event. The world No.14 is famous for playing in the longest match in the sport’s history, winning his first-round Wimbledon contest in 2010 over Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-4 3-6 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (7-3) 70-68. The match lasted more than 11 hours. But his grand slam performances in general have been underwhelming. His 2011 quarterfinal loss at the US Open remains his best Sloane Stephens John Isner Born: 20/3/1993 Born: 26/4/1985 Plays: Right-handed Plays: Right-handed Current ranking: 12 Current ranking: 14 Highest ranking: 11 (12/10/13) Highest ranking: 9 (16/4/12) Career singles titles: 0 Career singles titles: 7 Career doubles titles: 0 Career doubles titles: 3 Career prize money: $2.1m Career prize money: $5.7m thewest.com.au HOPMAN CUP XXVI For all the latest news The schedule

Group A Group B Poland (1) Agnieszka Radwanska and Jerzy Janowicz USA (2) Sloane Stephens and John Isner Canada (4) Eugenie Bouchard and Milos Raonic (3) Alize Cornet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Italy (6) Flavia Pennetta and Andreas Seppi Czech Republic (5) Petra Kvitova and Radek Stepanekk Australia (7) Samantha Stosur and Bernard Tomic Spain (8) Anabel Medina Garrigues and Tommy Robredodo Session Day Date Time Team Session 1 Saturday December 28 10am Poland v Italy Session 2 Saturday December 28 5.30pm Canada v Australia Session 3 Sunday December 29 10am Czech Republic v Spain Session 4 Sunday December 29 5.30pm Poland v Canada Session 5 Monday December 30 10am USA v Spain Session 6 Monday December 30 5.30pm France v Czech Republic Session 7 Tuesday December 31 10am Italy v Australia Session 8 Wednesday January 1 5.30pm USA v France Session 9 Thursday January 2 10am Italy v Canada Session 10 Thursday January 2 5.30pm Poland v Australia Session 11 Friday January 3 10am France v Spain Session 12 Friday January 3 5.30pm Czech Republic v USA Session 13 Saturday January 4 5.30pm Winner Group A v Winner Group B

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28 DEC - 4 JAN 2014 PERTH ARENA hopmancup.com GET COURT UP IN THE thewest.com.au HOPMANHOP CUP XXVI For all the latest news Tsonga bounces back from injury ■ Bridget Lacy tournament (the French Open) at Roland Garros. But since then the knee injury Flamboyant Frenchman Jo-Wilfried occupied most of my time and I have been Tsonga will be fully fit when he arrives in unable to compete at the highest level.” Perth for his second consecutive Hopman Tsonga had been due to play alongside Cup this month. Wimbledon winner at the The world No.10 is one of the headline Hopman Cup but was as shocked as acts for the $1 million mixed teams event anyone when she announced her at Perth Arena, returning after being a retirement in the wake of the popular debutant at the tournament in breakthrough win. 2012-2013. He will now team with 23-year-old Alize “My experience last year was great,” Cornet, who is ranked No.27. Tsonga said. “I was surprised at first and felt for Tsonga “The Arena, the fans and everything sure that Marion would come back surrounding the event made it special within a few months, but now it is and thus I wanted to come back. It is a probably safe to say that she quit for great preparation for Melbourne (the good,” he said. Australian Open) and I really enjoyed Tsonga has dumped Australian coach spending 10 days in Perth.” Roger Rasheed and hired countrymen Tsonga has had a mixed year thanks to Nicolas Escude and Thierry Ascione. the knee problem he suffered in the He was unsure of any tweaks they second round at Wimbledon and was would make to his game. forced to pull out of the US Open. Tsonga, who has been on the Tsonga narrowly failed to qualify for professional tour for almost a the ATP World Tour Finals, which is for decade, first broke into the the top eight players in the world, top 10 in 2008 — the year he finishing the season ranked No.10. lost the Australian Open The 28-year-old peaked at a high of No.5 final to . early in 2012, but he has dropped to his He has not surrendered lowest ranking in more than two years in his top 10 ranking since recent months largely due to the time it the end of 2011 but is yet has taken to get over the niggling knee to break through for a injury. Ahead of his arrival in Perth, grand slam title. Tsonga declared he was in good shape. “I am working “The injury is behind me,” he said. towards this goal and “The doctors told me that it would be will always try my five months before it was completely back hardest,” Tsonga said. to normal and we are approaching this “My goals for 2014 mark. 2013 carries mixed feelings for me. are first to be injury “I had a good start of the season in free and then to play a Australia and a semifinal at my home role in the big events against the top guys.” Tsonga and Cornet face the Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek and Petra Kvitova first-up on December 30.

Cornet

Alize Cornet Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Born: 22/1/1990 Born: 17/4/1985 Plays: Right-handed Plays: Right-handed Current ranking: 27 Current ranking: 10 Highest ranking: 11 (16/2/09) Highest ranking: 5 (27/2/12) Career singles titles: 3 Career singles titles: 10 Career doubles titles: 2 Career doubles titles: 4 Career prize money: $2.5m Career prize money: $12.4m HOPMAN CUP XXVI Thursday, December 19, 2013 Fo Perth gives Aussies chance to Ball in Tomic’s court to forge grand career

■ Nick Rynne said: “I don’t know. He’s had to make the decision. He’s slowly maturing maybe so Bernard Tomic is used to his name being fingers crossed that’s the way it’s going.” Tomic in the headlines. But another Australian great, John The 21-year-old has earned the ire of Newcombe, this month warned Tomic he officials and fans across the country by needed to train harder or be forced to live publicly and repeatedly displaying his with regrets, citing the examples of Mark fondness for bright lights, fast cars and Philippoussis and axed Wallabies rugby the odd nightclub lap dance or two. star James O’Connor. Add an over-zealous tennis father slash “You can hit nightclubs, it depends coach to the mix and it could almost be when you hit them. If you’re in the plot of a badly-written sports movie. off-season, you’re going out it’s fine — But what often gets lost is the fact (but not) if you’re in the middle of a Tomic represents Australia’s best hope of tournament or when you should be matching it with the best in the world training hard,” Newcombe said. once again. “In the end, it’s going to come down to The Queenslander burst on to the scene Bernie. as an 18-year-old in 2011, reaching the “What he decides he wants to be in his quarterfinals at Wimbledon before own mind.” stumbling against world No.2 Novak Leading into 2014, the Tomic camp is Djokovic in a four-set defeat. again optimistic of challenging the More than 18 months of inconsistency world’s best over the next 12 months. were to follow, but when Tomic defeated Hopman Cup XXVI will be the Djokovic, who by then had climbed to big-serving right-hander’s first No.1 in the world, at last year’s Hopman tournament under new coach Velimir Cup and followed it up with an inaugural Zovko, who arrived in Australia earlier singles title at the International, this month. many were predicting 2013 would be his The Croatian will act as an interim breakout year. mentor to Tomic and work alongside his Unfortunately, niggling injuries and an father. ongoing saga which saw his father John Speaking in the lead-up to the Perth banned by the ATP for assaulting his tournament, Tomic declared a top-20 son’s hitting partner Thomas Drouet, finish the goal for next year, taking a meant he failed to get off the ground. more conservative approach than last Despite predicting a top-10 finish for year’s bold prediction. himself, Tomic climbed just one place in But rest assured, his long-term goals 2013, finishing the year ranked No.51. remain far grander. He was knocked out in the opening “Generations will move on, for sure. In round of his last five tournaments in a two or three years there will be no disastrous end to a forgettable 2013. Federers,” Tomic said. But he did manage to mend fences with “They will slowly start moving and Davis Cup captain , who had four-five years from now it will be a lambasted Tomic’s attitude when totally different group of players in the dropping him from the team in 2012. top 10. Tomic and Rafter united in the bid to “It gives a chance for players like return Australia to the Davis Cup World (Milos) Raonic and (Grigor) Dimitrov and Group. myself to get into that spot, and take over Rafter rated Tomic’s attitude as the and dominate. best he’s seen it heading into September’s “I’ve got to stay positive, keep working, World Group play-off victory and my time will come to get to that over Poland in Warsaw. stage.” “We’re really impressed with how he’s Love him or hate him, the Gold Coast been going,” Rafter said. “We’re all party boy isn’t going anywhere in a starting to understand each other a bit hurry. better and we’re all on the same page.” And if he can begin to live up to his Asked to put his finger on what had soaring potential, the headlines may start changed with Tomic’s attitude, Rafter to turn in his favour. Samantha Stosur Bernard Tomic Born: 30/3/1984 Born: 21/10/1992 Plays: Right-handed Plays: Right-handed Current ranking: 18 Current ranking: 51 Highest ranking: 4 (21/2/11) Highest ranking: 27 (11/6/12) Career singles titles: 5 Career singles titles: 1 Career doubles titles: 24 Career doubles titles: 0 Career prize money: $13m Career prize money: $1.9m thewest.com.au HOPMANHOP CUP XXVI 013 For all the latest news e to go back to square one Sound season finish has Stosur hopeful for 2014

■ Nick Rynne The 2011 US Open champion finished e last season ranked No.18 in the world, her o Samantha Stosur is accustomed to the worst result since 2008. ” nation’s expectations weighing on her It wasn’t a season without highlights, shoulders at this time of year. her singles titles at Carlsbad and Osaka he As Australia’s best-performed singles are testament to that, it’s just that the ve player for some time now, the 29-year-old lowlights came on far bigger stages. rk has always been expected to light up on Stosur did reach the final in her last y her home turf. three tournaments, winning at Osaka It is a position she has clearly been before twice falling to Romanian Simona uncomfortable in. Halep at Moscow and Sofia. Over the past three seasons Stosur has She’s also found a new coach in Miles defied her top-10 ranking to record early Maclagan, who has worked with exits in all of her nine tournaments on Wimbledon champion Andy Murray. Australian soil. A third-round loss to “That’s somewhere where I’ve been the Petra Kvitova at the last few years and somewhere where I’ve o was her best result. proved myself to be capable of being with However, approaching Hopman Cup those top girls, so I definitely want to try s Stosur XXVI Stosur finds herself cast in a to get back to there, or hopefully even completely different role. better,” Stosur said. This year, instead of everyone “But the only way you can do that is by expecting her to dominate proceedings, winning matches, and you’ve got to do they’re just hoping she can rediscover that in the biggest events and the goal has her fight. definitely got to be the grand slams.”

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thewest.com.au HOPMANHOP CUP XXVI For all the latest news Net gain for Canadian teen ■ Russell Reid “Milos is obviously a really good player and I will be relying on him to win some Teenager Eugenie Bouchard can’t wait to matches and serve some bombs in mixed exact some revenge against Samantha doubles. I expect to do nothing, even at Stosur when Australia and Canada clash the net, because I just don’t expect balls on December 28, the opening night of the to come back on Milos’ service games.” Hyundai Hopman Cup. Bouchard hopes to follow in the Stosur posted a three-set win against footsteps of Raonic, who recently became Bouchard to clinch the in the first Canadian player to break into early October, the Australian finishing the top 10. the year strongly with victory at Osaka “Milos has had some good success, before consecutive losses in the final of which has increased the popularity of the and Tournament of tennis in Canada. I hope to do the same. Champions against emerging Romanian He’s ended his year really well, which is . good for him going into next year. I want “It’s funny because I just played her in to work hard and be as good as I can be the second last tournament of the year and whatever that ranking is, we’ll see.” and now I will be starting out against her Bouchard is no stranger to chalking up again in the first tournament of next firsts for her country, the 19-year-old season,” Bouchard said. becoming the first Canadian to win a “It will be fun to play in Australia. She grand slam singles title when she beat will have the crowd advantage, but it will Ukrainian to claim the be really good. Obviously, she is a great Wimbledon girls title in 2012. player but I look forward to getting some Achieving her best results at the famed revenge.” grass tournament, Bouchard combined Playing for the first time in Perth, with Americans and Taylor Bouchard said she was glad for another Townsend to win the junior Wimbledon chance to represent her country after doubles titles of 2011 and 2012. playing Fed Cup ties earlier this year. Bouchard said that doubles experience “This is like a team kind of thing too,” would come in handy in the Hopman she said. Cup, where mixed doubles rubbers can “Tennis players play individual decide ties. tournaments all year, so to have a few “That gave me a lot of confidence and I weeks out of the year where we play as a was able to build on that and play well team and work together … it’s always fun not only in the juniors but the pros (WTA to experience that.” tournaments),” she said. Bouchard said teaming up with world “This is my first full year on the (WTA) No.11 Milos Raonic, who has had his tour and I’ve played all the pro grand serve clocked at 255km/h, would be a slams, so it’s a different taste. bonus. “I got to see real life on the tour and “We’ve never played mixed how tough it is, week in and week out doubles together so that will playing against great players, so I feel be interesting to see,” like I’ve learnt a lot this year.” Bouchard said.

Raonic

Bouchard

Eugenie Bouchard Milos Raonic Born: 25/2/1994 Born: 27/12/1990 Plays: Right-handed Plays: Right-handed Current ranking: 32 Current ranking: 11 Highest ranking: 32 (14/10/13) Highest ranking: 10 (12/8/13) Career singles titles: 0 Career singles titles: 5 Career doubles titles: 0 Career doubles titles: 0 Career prize money: $505,000 Career prize money: $3.7m HOPMAN CUP XXVI Thursday, December 19, 2013 Kvitova faces pressure test

■ Bridget Lacy determined to get back to my form of 2011,” Kvitova said. Last time Petra Kvitova came to Perth for “I hope that slowly I am trying to find the Hopman Cup she was tipped to be the the good game again.” new world No.1 within months. The world No.6 described her 2013 as The big-hitting left-hander had broken up and down but said a strong finish had into the top 10 for the first time at given her confidence. the beginning of 2011, before steamrolling “I felt very good on the court, her way to a Wimbledon title and then comfortable, I moved very well, so it’s a winning the WTA’s season-ending very good sign for next season,” Kvitova tournament. said. In Perth, the then world No.2 teamed “I have a lot that I can improve. I have a with Tomas Berdych to claim the new fitness coach, so I am trying to championship and went on to produce her improve my fitness … I want to improve best Australian Open performance, an my serve. exit in the semifinals. “I can’t say any number (of tournament But since then Kvitova has failed to live wins I want to achieve in 2014) but I up to the hype. would like to have a better result in grand The 23-year-old is not sure what has slams next year.” held her back since her incredible Kvitova returns to WA for the performances two years ago. $1 million mixed teams event focused on But she does admit to letting the winning the trophy again for the Czech pressure of expectation get the better of Republic, this time joining forces with her. veteran Radek Stepanek. “It was for me testing to be on the top The pair are believed to be dating but and to handle the pressure,” Kvitova have never played doubles together. revealed. “He is a great doubles specialist, he has “When I get for the first time top 10, a great volley, so I hope we can be a good when I won Wimbledon, there was a lot of team on the court,” Kvitova said. pressure on my back and I really felt it She said she was looking forward to and it was tough to get used to. experiencing Perth Arena for the first “And it’s still there. I am almost always time. favourite so it’s not easy every “It was great in 2012,” Kvitova said. time and you have to be ready “I enjoyed it a lot, it was my first for it.” time and we won it, so it is always Kvitova believes she is nice memories and I am looking handling the mental stress forward to being there again. better now but says it is a “You are promised to play at Kvitova constant battle. least three matches. Her 2011 results show “I saw some pictures (of the what she is capable of, Arena) and it’s looking so she hopes her best beautiful, so that’s one of the tennis is still ahead new things that I am really of her. looking forward to.” “That season in Kvitova plans to arrive 2011 I know that in Perth early and it’s hard to hopes to explore repeat and I the city and hit am very the beach.

Stepanek

Petra Kvitova Radek Stepanek Born: 8/3/1990 Born: 27/11/1978 Plays: Left-handed Plays: Right-handed Current ranking: 6 Current ranking: 44 Highest ranking: 2 (31/10/11) Highest ranking: 8 (10/7/06) Career singles titles: 11 Career singles titles: 5 Career doubles titles: 0 Career doubles titles: 17 Career prize money: $11.8m Career prize money: $9.6m thewest.com.au HOPMANHOP CUP XXVI For all the latest news Late bloomer Seppi mixes his form ■ Russell Reid The 29-year-old had mixed results for singles semifinal at this year’s US Open, the balance of the year, the highlights defeating higher-ranked opponents Sara Andreas Seppi is out to improve his being a quarterfinal loss to Djokovic in Errani, , Simona Hopman Cup singles form and maintain Dubai (extending Seppi’s winless record Halep and in the early an unbeaten mixed doubles record. against Djokovic to 11-0) and a rounds before succumbing to world No.2 World No.25 Seppi lost each of his fourth-round loss to Scotsman Andy . singles matches at Hopman Cup XXV last Murray in Miami. Pennetta last played at the Hopman January, beaten by Serbia’s Novak Seppi is a late bloomer. He didn’t win Cup in 2009, the year Slovak Republic Djokovic, Australian Bernard Tomic and his first ATP tournament until 2011, pair Dominik Hrbaty and Dominika German veteran on his beating Serbian Janko Tipsarevic in the Cibulkova beat Russians and debut at the unique Perth event. final at Eastbourne. to claim the crown. Seppi had more joy in the mixed, It was a day of breakthroughs for After losing to Safina (7-5 6-3) and partnering to three Seppi, who also became the first Italian Frenchwoman Alize Cornet (7-5 6-2), wins in as many matches against to win an ATP tournament on grass. Pennetta recovered to win her last singles Djokovic and , Tomic and Seppi and partner Flavia Pennetta match against Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh and Haas and Tatjana have the chance to notch another first for Su-Wei (7-5 6-3). Malek at Perth Arena. their country, hoping to help guide the Cornet also returns for Hopman Cup The Perth tournament proved to be a Italians to a first Hopman title from eight XXVI but, with France and Italy in launch pad for the smooth-stroking attempts. different groups, Pennetta is unlikely to Italian, who reached the semifinals of the Paolo Cane and did best avenge that defeat five years ago. the following week for Italy when they reached the before losing to eventual champion quarterfinals at the second Hopman Cup Tomic. in the summer of 1989-90. Flavia Pennetta Seppi broke into the top 20 for the first Like Seppi, Pennetta is accustomed to Born: 25/2/1982 Career singles titles: 9 time later that month after qualifying for leading the way for her country. the fourth round at the Australian Open, The 31-year-old became Italy’s first top Plays: Right-handed Career doubles titles: 15 beating ’s , 10 female singles player in August 2009 Current ranking: 31 Career prize money: $7.4m Uzbekistan’s and Croatian and the first Italian player to be ranked Marin Cilic before bowing out to No.1 in doubles in February 2011. Highest ranking: 10 (17/8/09) Frenchman Jeremy Chardy. Pennetta reached her first grand slam Andreas Seppi Born: 21/2/1984 Plays: Right-handed Current ranking: 25 Highest ranking: 18 (28/1/13) Career singles titles: 3 Career doubles titles: 0 Career prize money: $5.5m HOPMAN CUP XXVI Thursday, December 19, 2013 A walk down memory lane

Emilio Sanchez

James Blake Serena Williams

Roger Federer

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

Honour roll Hopman Cup I (1989) Czechoslovakia Hopman Cup II (1990) Spain (Arantxa Hopman Cup III (1991) Yugoslavia Hopman Cup IV (1992) Switzerland Hopman Cup V (1993) (Helena Sukova/Miloslav Mecir) b Sanchez Vicario/Emilio Sanchez) b (/Goran Prpic) b USA (Zina (-Fragniere/Jakob (/) b Spain Australia (Hana Mandlikova/) 2-0. USA (/John McEnroe) 2-1. Garrison/) 3-0. Hlasek) b Czechoslovakia (Helena Sukova/ (Arantxa Sanchez/Emilio Sanchez) 2-1. Karel Novacek) 2-1.

Hopman Cup VI (1994) Czech Republic Hopman Cup VII (1995) Germany (Anke Hopman Cup VIII (1996) (Iva Hopman Cup IX (1997) USA (Chanda Hopman Cup X (1998) Slovak Republic (Jana Novotna/) b Germany Huber/) b Ukraine (Natalia Majoli/Goran Ivanisevic) b Switzerland Rubin/Justin Gimelstob) b South Africa (Karina Habsudova/Karol Kucera) b France (/Bernd Karbacher) 2-1. Medvedeva/) 3-0. (Martina Hingis/) 2-1. (/) 2-1. (/) 2-1.

Hopman Cup XI (1999) Australia (Jelena Hopman Cup XII (2000) South Africa Hopman Cup XIII (2001) Switzerland Hopman Cup XIV (2002) Spain (Arantxa Hopman Cup XV (2003) USA (Serena Dokic/Mark Philippoussis) b (Asa (Amanda Coetzer/Wayne Ferreira) b (Martina Hingis/) b USA Sanchez/Tommy Robredo) b USA (Monica Williams/James Blake) b Australia (Alicia Carlsson/Jonas Bjorkman) 2-1. Thailand (/Paradorn (Monica Seles/Jan Michael Gambill) 2-1. Seles/Jan Michael Gambill) 2-1. Molik/) 3-0. Schrichaphan) 3-0.

Hopman Cup XVI (2004) USA (Lindsay Hopman Cup XVII (2005) Slovak Hopman Cup XVIII (2006) USA (Lisa Hopman Cup XIX (2007) Russia (Nadia Hopman Cup XX (2008) USA (Serena Davenport/James Blake) b Slovak Republic Republic (Daniela Hantuchova/Dominik Raymond/Taylor Dent) b Petrova/) b Spain Williams/) b Serbia (Jelena (Daniela Hantuchova/Karol Kucera) 2-1. Hrbaty) b Argentina (/ (Michaella Krajicek/) 2-1. (Tommy Robredo/Anabel Medina- Jankovic/Novak Djokovic) 2-1. ) 3-0. Garrigues) 2-0.

Hopman Cup XXI (2009) Slovak Hopman Cup XXII (2010) Spain (Maria Hopman Cup XXIII (2011) USA (Bethanie Hopman Cup XXIV (2012) Czech Hopman Cup XXV (2013) Spain (Anabel Republic (Dominika Cibulkova/Dominik Jose Martinez Sanchez/Tommy Robredo) Mattek-Sands/John Isner) b Belgium Republic (Petra Kvitova/Tomas Berdych) Medina Garrigues/Fernando Verdasco) Hrbaty) b Russia (Dinara Safi na/Marat b Great Britain (/Andy (Justine Henin/Ruben Bemelmans) 2-1. b France (Marion Bartoli/) b Serbia (Ana Ivanovic/Novak Djokovic) Safi n) 2-0. Murray) 2-1. 2-0. 2-1. thewest.com.au HOPMANHOP CUP XXVI For all the latest news Heroine returns for more glory

■ Russell Reid the event’s casualty list. West Australian pulled out before the The form of Anabel Medina Garrigues tournament with a foot injury and will be a key in Spain’s title defence at Germany’s (knee) and the Hopman Cup. Tommy Haas (toe), the USA’s John Isner Wily Medina Garrigues was the (knee) and Frenchman Tsonga heroine when Spain beat red-hot (hamstring) all withdrew during the favourites Serbia to claim the 25th week. chapter of Perth’s $1 million ITF mixed Medina Garrigues is an accomplished teams event last January. singles player but her strength is in Medina Garrigues won a gruelling doubles, having teamed with 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 rubber lasting two hours countrywoman and 39 minutes against Ana Ivanovic to to win the 2008 and keep her country’s title hopes alive before doubles crowns. teaming with Fernando Verdasco to Playing with a different partner in claim the deciding doubles 6-4 7-5. Tommy Robredo in Perth this summer, Left-hander Verdasco had battled Medina Garrigues will need to reproduce bravely against Novak Djokovic before that form if Spain are to be genuine being beaten 6-3 7-5 by the world No.1. contenders. It wasn’t the first time Medina Robredo is attempting to become the Garrigues had rescued her country at first player to win three Hopman titles Perth Arena. after teaming with wily veteran Arantxa The 31-year-old also won singles Sanchez to win in 2002 and Maria Jose matches against and Martinez Sanchez in 2010. Mathilde Johansson to keep ties alive Robredo and Medina Garrigues’ against South Africa and France after experience will be crucial as Spain Verdasco lost to and attempt to win a fifth Hopman Cup. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Only USA (six titles) have won more, Verdasco conceded after the final that while the Slovak Republic have won his partner had done the lion’s share of three. the work in the title win and offered Robredo, also 31, has been a regular in Medina Garrigues Medina Garrigues his silver and 18-carat Spanish Davis Cup teams and the top 20 gold diamond encrusted tennis ball. in his 15 years on the world tour, reaching “Because I think you won both balls, I a career-high No.5 in August 2006. need to give you my ball,” Verdasco said A serious leg injury caused Robredo’s after their triumph against Ivanovic and ranking to plummet to 471 in May last Djokovic. year, but the Spaniard improved that “She won almost all her matches in mark by 453 places to 18 before the end of singles and all the doubles. So you are 2013. the winner and I don’t know what Spain have surprisingly been I’m doing here.” seeded eighth of the eight Making her feats at Hopman Cup competing nations at the 26th XXV all the more remarkable, chapter of Perth’s Medina Garrigues revealed she had mixed teams battled a back injury before the event. tournament. If not for her physiotherapist, Medina Garrigues could have joined

Robredo

Anabel Tommy Medina Garrigues Robredo Born: 31/7/1982 Born: 1/5/1982 Plays: Right-handed Plays: Right-handed Current ranking: 100 Current ranking: 18 Highest ranking: 16 (4/5/09) Highest ranking: 5 (28/8/06) Career singles titles: 11 Career singles titles: 12 Career doubles titles: 21 Career doubles titles: 5 Career prize money: $5.3m Career prize money: $10.5m JOIN SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS AND DORA THE EXPLORER AT KIDS TENNIS DAY PRESENTED BY NICKELODEON! down to Perth Arena on Saturday 28 December to purchase your adult tickets from the box office, and bring the kids and grandkids along for free!* For more info on Kids Tennis Day visit hopmancup.com/kidstennisday *Applies to children 16 years of age and under. Free Junior available in Silver Reserved Seating ticket – day session only. Subject to availability.

KIDS TENNIS DAY 28 DEC 2013 PERTH ARENA hopmancup.com